Risk Factors of Child Abuse - Research Paper Example

 Risk Factors of Child Abuse Introduction: This research study is concerned with the statistics that approves or disapprove the hypothesis that experiencing child abuse improves the possibilities of such persons growing up to abuse their children during their later lives. In other words, the hypothesis that needs to be tested is, being abused oneself is a precipitating or stimulating factor for people to abuse their own children. Corollary factors that needs to be considered is the incidents of abuse- in terms of negligence, physical, emotional or psychological violence, sexual abuse or any other kind of misconduct with children that could arise unconsciously or are being done through deliberate and conscious efforts. In order to understand the full impact of child abuse, it is first necessary to consider the definition of the term ‘child abuse’. ‘The Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect, defines child abuse is "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” (What is child abuse and neglect: How is child abuse and neglect defined in federal low? 2008, para.3). It is now necessary to consider the research question or hypothesis. Research Hypothesis: Abused children always grow up to be abusers: There are distinct possibilities that children of abused parents may be at the receiving end of repressed anger and frustrations caused by their abuse in their younger days. There are possibilities that they would carry this well into their adult and family life, often targeting their own children as innocent and naïve victims of child abuse, including sexual abuse. It is true that abused children are more likely to repeat the cycle as adults, unconsciously repeating what they experienced as children. Early Learning Experiences: This factor is often termed as "life cycle" of abuse. One end of the spectrum is that of many abusive parents who were themselves abused as children and have learned to see hurtful behavior while growing up. “A son, who is repeatedly either verbally or physically abused by his father, will predictably treat his own children in the same way. When a daughter hears her mother frequently tear down, belittle, and criticize her father, she will adapt a learned behavior which involves control through verbal abuse.” (Cycle of abuse: What is cycle of abuse, 2010, para.2). At the other end of the life cycle, some adults who enforce violence on their old and aged parents are just seeking revenge for the abuses that have been inflicted on them by these parents during their early years. There are evidence to substantiate the fact that child abused could, perhaps become child abusers itself. But, it is also possible that non abused persons could also become child abusers in later life. This is because there is no single factor that causes one to become a child abuser. As a matter of fact, several underlying factors including a person’s genetic and personality build up, environmental, socio-economic, domestic happiness and unhappiness, and early childhood experiences do contribute substantially for the occurrences or non occurrences of child abuse among people. A woman or man who has been subjected to abuse in their childhood or adolescence would definitely have a greater propensity to carry such trauma well into their own marital and parenting lives although it is also quite possible that many adult survivors of child abuse may also possess a robust reason to protect their children against what they went through and become excellent parents. Conducted Research: It was proposed to conduct research among around 600 families in a specific city of the United States. From this survey, the following facts and figures emerged. Surprisingly, the results of the survey showed that it is a very small child group of age lesser than one year who is most influenced by child abuse and consequent fatalities, followed by age up to three years. What causes these deaths due to child abuse? Repeated child ill treatment over a period of time could lead to fatalities or this could also result from a major cause of suffocating the child, drowning it or violently shaking the child resulting in death. It could be also due to the ignorance or inaction on the part of the caregiver or mother to act; leaving the child unattended near sources of death or injury in bathtubs, electrical contacts, fireplaces, house verandahs etc. From the above studies, it is evident that negligence forms a major area of abuse and fatality caused by it is followed by different categories of maltreatment like pure negligence or a combination of factors like physical, sexual, psychological and emotional. Perhaps, it is felt that in this case of repeating abuse on children; the environments in which the father or even his children are brought up are also of particular importance. Where the surrounding family environment is disturbed, there are high possibilities of child abuse as compared to a family environment where the environment is conducive. “Abused children who came from families where violence was common were more than three times as likely to become abusers as were those who experienced maternal neglect and sexual abuse by females.” (Boyles, 2003, para.5). In this study, it is seen that around 12% of the respondents admitted on the basis of sexual offenses and in almost all cases their victims were also children. Theory: Whether there is enough research based evidences to prove that abused children would grow up to become child abusers themselves. The research studies show that, while there was a greater propensity for abused persons to become abusive parents; these may not be taken as a foregone conclusion and there are many instances in which people with perfectly non abusive backgrounds and childhoods to yet become child abusers in later life. There are a lot of factors that make or break a child abuser to practice childhood trauma just due to these reasons. However, it is believed that approximately 15% to 25% of women and 5% to 15% of men in the US were sexually abused when they were children. Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims. Approximately, 30% are relatives of the child, around 60% are other acquaintances and family friends, babysitters, or neighbors; paradoxically just 10% of child sexual abuse cases reported sexual abuse by strangers. This just goes to prove that most cases of child abuse were conducted by family members, like mothers or surrogate parents, close relatives and family friends. “A study by Dante Cicchetti found that 80% of abused and maltreated infants exhibited signs of disorganized attachments”. (Child abuse, 2010, para.5). When some of these children become parents later on in life; the mentally traumatized ones, especially those suffering from remnants of Posttraumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) or other after effects of child abuse may encounter difficulties when faced with the stress and strain of dealing with infants and the needs of young children which may in turn lead to unpleasant results for their child's social-emotional growth. Despite these potential difficulties, psychosocial therapies and medication could be effective on a case to case basis. At least in some cases, the ways maltreated parents view and treat their own young children are changing. Quantitative Time Schedule: Tasks 1st week 2nd week 3rd week 4th week 5th week 6th week Meetings Research designing Assimilating data Codifying data results Measuring results Analysing outcomes Final research documenting and approval Gantt diagram showing time plan of research on child abuse Budget Estimates: Tasks US$ US$ US$ US$ US$ Total Meetings 1000 1000 Research designing 500 500 Assimilating data 600 600 Analysing outcomes 400 450 Final research documenting and approval 1500 1500 Total 1000 500 600 400 1500 4000 The total budget estimates for this research project is $4000 and it has been apportioned in the above mentioned method. This Budget is subject to +10/-10 variations, i.e. between $3600 to $4400. Analysis and Interpretations: It is believed that the major aspect in child abuse is the factors that cause it. There could be a plethora of causes ranging from social and socio-economic causes. Incidence of domestic violence, wife batters, stress within the family and many other external and internal issues that could exacerbate the situation and cause or aggravate child abuse are included. Other factors could be in terms of the parents or caregivers being unable to cope with children’s demands in terms of time, care efforts and studies. A home with large number of children could present more challenges than a small home. Although it is quite possible that incidents of child abuse may also occur under any circumstances based on the individual reactions and personality traits. If individual case histories are taken, the issues would be clear. The first step to getting your emotions under control is realizing that they are there. If a person were subject to an abuse as a child, he/ she may have a difficult time keeping control over the emotions and not letting past trauma rule their relations with their own children. But sometimes it may be difficult to control emotions and things may go out of control in terms of relations with children, especially the younger ones. The person may have had to deny or suppress them as a child and now they move out of control. For a step by step process on how such persons could control and enhance their emotional intelligence (EI); they visit the EQ Central Domestic. This is because EI is very important. “Therefore, each one of us must develop the mature emotional intelligence skills required to better understand, empathize and negotiate with other people — particularly as the economy has become more global.” (Bressert, 2010, para.1). This is because violence against children is widespread and occurs among all socioeconomic groups. Thus, more than taking treatment arbitrarily, it is first necessary to determine the cause of such abuses. “Emotional abuse is often minimized, yet it can leave deep and lasting scars.” (Domestic violence and abuse: Signs of abuse and abusive relationships, 2010, para.1). Conclusions and Recommendations: Thus, it is believed that abuse could be fatal if it is of a violent nature. This could kill the victim or even cause the person to commit suicide to get rid of the problems permanently. This could indeed create problems for family since this could lead to a lifelong trauma and pain for the families of those dead. Besides, the physical trauma the emotional and psychological scars of child abuse are also more or less, lifelong. “It has been shown that at least 30% of people who have been physically abused have lifetime disruptive disorder diagnosis, such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder (Kaplan et al., 1999). Individuals who were physically abused also showed higher aggressive and delinquent behaviours (Kaplan et al., 1999; Briere & Runtz, 1990). Research has also indicated that physically abused children tend to be less popular and liked and had fewer friendships. As well, physically abused children showed less intimacy and more conflict and negative affect towards their close friends in comparison to the non-abused group.” (McPherson, 2002, para.5). Treatments and therapy are available for child abuse, not only for the victims but also for the perpetrators. This is important since the chances of recidivism are high, perhaps stronger and emphatic than previous episodes. This could also be in terms of creating better family atmosphere where children and parents could be at peace and harmony with each other and all of them could live happily and contented with one another without any kind of discord or dissension. There is also a complete reason for the elders in the family to subject themselves to evaluate and determine to cure their problems rather than put unknowing and innocent children into the fray, especially when they are blameless and innocent. It is for the parents, among others to mend themselves and present a complete and efficient model of whom the children could be proud of rather to cringe in fear and anguish. There is needed for the parents to take proper care and afford attention to the children, just as what they would love to have when they were young children at their age. They also need to consider themselves in the place of children and see how awful negligence is, in addition to; abuse, taunt, physical & mental pain and trauma of child abuse. “Each paralyzed person has to decide to empower themselves.” (Dombeck, 2007, para.26). Reference List Boyles, S. (2003). Do sexually abused kids become abusers?: Study shows family violence, neglect are important risk factors. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20030206/do-sexually-abused-kids-become-abusers Bressert, S. (2010). What is emotional intelligence (EQ)? Psych Central. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/what-is-emotional-intelligence-eq/ Child abuse. (2010). World Lingo. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Child_abuse Cycle of abuse: What is cycle of abuse? (2010). All About Life Challenges. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/cycle-of-abuse-faq.htm Dombeck, M. (2007). Essays and blogs concerning mental and emotional health: The long term effects of bullying: Undoing the damage. Mental Health.net. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=13057 Domestic violence and abuse: Signs of abuse and abusive relationships. (2010). Help Guide.Org. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm McPherson, T. (2002). Teacher and students: Cries for help: A literature review of the psychological effects of child maltreatment. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cycol-0302-mcpherson.html What is child abuse and neglect: How is child abuse and neglect defined in federal low? (2008). Child Welfare Information Gateway. Retrieved June 14, 2010, from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm Read More